Mobile court operation during the 36-hour hartal from Sunday dawn has sparked controversy among different quarters as around 113 hartal pickets were convicted for the first time during the countrywide shutdown called by the opposition.

Bangladesh is recalling its ambassador to Japan AKM Majibur Rahman Bhuiyan, a senior foreign ministry official said yesterday amid media reports in Dhaka that he allegedly harassed a Japanese woman working at its Tokyo mission.

BNP last night reviewed its stance on the caretaker government system, and the latest political situation against the backdrop of repeated calls from the ruling Awami League leaders to sit for talks to resolve the caretaker issue.

Editorial

Independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim's questions in the Jatiyo Sangsad on the ramifications of mobile court operations during hartal hours reflect broad public concern over the issue. Despite Home Minister Sahara Khatun's belief that these courts foiled looting and prevented deaths during the 36-hour hartal called by the BNP and its allies, the glaring fact is that democratic practice does not condone the operation of such courts. It is our considered opinion, as we are sure it is of citizens across the spectrum, that setting up mobile courts to nab protestors and send them off to prison in the name of the law is truly an abuse of the law. A general strike, for all one's reservations about its timing and necessity, is an act of political protest which has not been declared illegal. As such, why curb it through dispensation of instant justice that falls far short of minimum requirements of a legal action such as right to defence and presentation of witness and evidence? However much the home minister may claim to be acting under law, for the public in general such arbitrary action is reprehensible. For the state now to weigh in by placing opposition activists under arrest and subjecting them to summary trial and eventually carting them off to jail is simply unacceptable. Political agitation must be met by political means. Indeed, we recall the ruling Awami League's earlier statement that the just-ended hartal would be tackled politically.

Every instance of fuel price hike becomes an occasion for the launch owners and operators to demand upward revision of fares. Whether it is proportionate to the increase in cost of operation gets lost in the owners trying to exact maximum advantage from the situation. They reel off a whole series of cost increases like; increased salaries of workers and repairing costs of vessels as justification for their inflated demand.

Macedonian Gjorgji Jovanovski has been named the new football coach of the Bangladesh national football team, formally closing the door on the incumbent Croatian Robert Rubcic, in a press conference at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) yesterday.

Rahmatganj yesterday sought more time to appear before the Bangladesh League Committee to explain their alleged involvement in match-fixing against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the ongoing competition.

West Indies, inspired by a career-best spell from leg-spinner Anthony Martin, completed a 103-run victory to secure a consolation victory in the fourth one-day international against world champions India on Monday.

Jamal Bhuiyan is confident of securing a place in the final squad of Bangladesh's World Cup pre-qualifier squad as the Denmark-born Bangladeshi booter will start his training with local clubs from today.

Rangers Club outplayed Old DOHS 77-40 in the opening match of the Citycell Basketball League 2011 at the Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium yesterday. Amanat Ali of Rangers scored highest 25 points while Alamgir Kabir of the same team scored 22. Ashik and Nobin of Old DOHS scored 11 and 10 points respectively. The winning side led the first half 33-17.

What do Tiger Woods, Pele, Roger Federer and Babe Ruth have in common? In their respective fields, in their prime, they left the competition far behind. They also have another common thread: none can hold a candle to Sir Don Bradman when it comes to dominating their field of play.

The governing body of South American soccer says the arrival of teams playing in the Copa America could be delayed because of the ash spewing from Chile's erupting volcano that's disrupting flights across the southern hemisphere.

Only two years ago Shikha Begum, a widow, had nothing in her possession and could barely feed herself and her only daughter, but today she brims with confidence as she can financially support herself thanks to a safety net project.

Bangladesh needs to tap the potential to grab a share of the $1 trillion global tourism market, and the government is ready to bring the sector out of its problems, said civil aviation and tourism minister yesterday.

Asian Development Bank has recently identified seven Asian countries as heart of the region's re-emergence by 2050. Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman presented a paper on the international organisation's 44th annual meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Following is the first part of his paper

continued from yesterdayThey are the regulated MFIs under the ASFI. In addition, development finance institutions (DFIs) are either non-profit entities or financial NGOs providing microcredit services. These DFIs may start operation with operating licences under the ASFI.

There have been a very few changes in the rates of customs duty, supplementary duty and value added tax in the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. But out of the small number of adjustments, the SME sector came out as the one of the main beneficiaries.

Bilkis Begum Lily was recognised as the best women entrepreneur from Barisal division by the Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BWCCI) in recognition of her success. She now plans to create more entrepreneurs like her particularly from the underprivileged segment of the society.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said the main opposition BNP can still suggest their formula on the caretaker government system in a bid to hold the next election in free and fair manner.

A fertiliser-laden cargo vessel, which remained partially grounded near Patenga Sea Beach here for last eight months after a crack developed at its bottom, finally broke into two parts in the early hours of Monday.

The High Court yesterday issued a rule on the legality of Anti-Corruption Commission law that empowered the commission to charge people with amassing wealth beyond known sources and concealing information about it.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has demanded in parliament that the government double the allocation in education sector. "Countries around the world allocate at least six percent of their Gross Domestic Product for education sector, but in our country it is only 2.3 percent," Nahid said.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan will strike several deals on bilateral cooperation in various fields, including trade and economic sector, cultural affairs, employment and welfare of migrant workers from Bangladesh, and mutual visa exemption for the officials and diplomats.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser former home secretary AKM Zahurul Islam was sent to jail yesterday in connection with two cases filed against him on charge of setting fire to vehicles in November last year and June this year.

Cadets of Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Academy (BMAF) in the port city began a sit-in on its parade ground to press home their two point-demand, including issuing of Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) which are necessary for joining the seagoing ships.

The education ministry yesterday started broadcasting class lectures of some reputed schools of Dhaka city on Bangladesh Television (BTV) to facilitate the rural students with modern classroom teaching.

Poet and novelist Meherun Nahar Chowdhury, mother of Zakaria Kajol, city editor of the daily Inqilab, passed away due to diabetes and kidney diseases at a hospital in Kolkata on Monday at the age of 70, says a press release.

National

Artificially created hillocks, meant for use as shelter by coastal people and their livestock during natural disasters, are getting flattened as unscrupulous people often take earth from there for personal use in Dashmina upazila of Patuakhali district.

Eleven activists of Hill Women's Federation (HWF) were freed early yesterday five hours after they were abducted allegedly by the members of pro-peace treaty Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity (PCJSS) from Somotaghat in the town.

Leaders and activists of cultural and left leaning political organisations at Rajshahi University (RU) yesterday formed a human chain demanding fresh construction of the Teachers Students Cultural Centre (TSCC) on the campus.

At least 15 people were injured on Sunday night in a clash between two groups of villagers at Harinarayanpur Bazaar under Sadar police station over a trifling issue. Of the injured, Ala Uddin, Palash, Kala Mia and Rasel were treated at local clinics. Fifteen shops were vandalised during the two and a half-hour-long sporadic clashes. Police fired six bullets to bring the situation under control. The clash ensued at about 10:30pm following an altercation over repayment of borrowed money at a barber shop. Later the clash spread involving the people of two villages --Harinarayanpur and Rajarampur.

Criminals on Monday night vandalised an image of Hindu god Shiva at the two-hundred year-old Hasjratola Kali Temple at Tangrakhali village under Shingasholpur union in Sadar upazila. Locals said, a gang entered the temple breaking open its lock and ransacked the room. They separated the idol's head from its body. Ashwini Kumar Mollick, president of the temple committee said that they are yet to identify the culprits. However, he demanded proper investigation and punishment to those involved.

A case was filed with Assassuni PS yesterday against three people in connection with alleged attempt to rape a school student at Jaduardanga village in Assassuni upazila. The accused are Prashanta Kumar Sarkar, 16, his father Mahananda Sarkar, 42, and mother Chapala Rani Sarkar, 37, of Jaduardanga. But police failed to arrest the accused as they went into hiding soon after the incident, police said. Victim's mother filed the case alleging that Prashanta used to stalk her daughter, a class seven student of Kadakati High School. Yesterday he entered into the kitchen and tried to violate her daughter in absence of her parents.

An employee of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) was killed by the members of his family at Mominpur village under Baufal upazila yesterday morning. The victim was identified as Siddiq Munshi, 35. Police said there was a long standing dispute over a piece of land among brothers and sisters of Siddiq. When Siddiq came home from Dhaka at about 9:30 am yesterday, his brother Faysal Munshi, 28, and sisters Nahida, 26, Sumi Begum, 24, and Alotaz Begum, 18, jointly attacked him with sharp weapons leaving Siddiq dead on the spot.

An apparent Nato airstrike hit an area near Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's compound in the capital again yesterday, as military leaders voiced concerns about sustaining the operations if the alliance mission drags on.

India's Foreign Secretary is due to visit Pakistan this month to discuss Kashmir, a Pakistani official said yesterday, the first formal talks between the two rivals on their core dispute since the Mumbai attacks in 2008 froze their peace process.

Japan's cabinet has approved a bill to help embattled Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) compensate tens of thousands of people affected by the crisis at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, sending its shares soaring in Tokyo trading.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will meet Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal in Cairo on June 21 to finalise a new government put together by the two factions, a top official of his Fatah movement said yesterday.

Arts & Entertainment

Yesterday was the 83rd birth anniversary of the Argentine Marxist revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara. To celebrate the anniversary, Bangla Theatre arranged a programme at the Studio Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, on June 13. The programme featured discussion, songs, poetry recitation and staging of the Bangla Theatre production “Che'r Cycle”.

On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (AFD), Alliacne Francaise de Chittagong (AFC) and Embassy of France in Bangladesh is arranging a photo exhibition. Titled, “Tagore, the Universal Message”, the exhibition will open on June 18 at the La Galerie of AFD at Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

A four-day programme, marking the 30th anniversary of Pabna Drama Circle, concluded Monday night. The programme featured discussion, live performances and a prize-giving ceremony. A rally was brought out from the Pabna Town Hall premise on Monday morning.

Patua Quamrul Hasan Art School recently held its 3rd National Children's Art Competition, titled “Boishakh-e Chhobi Aanko Joisthey Prodorshoni”. Starting from June 9, a weeklong group exhibition featuring artworks by children is on at Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. The exhibition has been dedicated to the recently deceased iconic artists Mohammad Kibria (Bangladesh) and M.F. Husain (India).

Several intellectuals, particularly left leaning ones, turned up at the launch of “Russia'r Dinlipi” at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium, National Museum on June 13. The book features unpublished travelogue by the late diplomat, minister and author Syed Nazmuddin Hashem. Editors of newspapers, journalists, authors, poets and translators met each other and reminisced on the years that altered the course of international politics in the last century.

OP-ED

A general strike, a hartal, became a necessity in June 1966. The Ayub Khan regime needed to be informed that the state of Pakistan could not take Bengalis for granted. Hartals turned into inevitability in 1969 because of the overpowering collective desire of the nation to send a condescending, illegitimate regime packing.

Indian Foreign Secretary Ms. Nirupama Rao's two day visit from June 6 to Dhaka was perceived as important as some outstanding issues needed to be resolved before the proposed visit of India's prime minister to Bangladesh "well before" the end of the year as stated by Ms. Rao.

Land, air, water and sun are the most essential elements for life. In absence of one of these elements, life will be impossible on earth. All other living entities gratefully enjoy these gifts of nature. But, we human beings want to grab them for personal interest. This often deprives others.